Course Descriptions

Business Administration

MBA 5850Financial Accounting for MBAs3 credits

MBA 5850 presents the principles of financial accounting with emphasis on the four statements of financial accounting: balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of owner’s equity and retained earnings. With its focus on financial accounting statements, this course provides students with an understanding of accounting terminology, accounting concepts, transaction analysis, and the basic accounting model. A key learning objective in this course is a managerial perspective on the information provided in financial statements and the ability to analyze financial statements. MBA 5850 cannot be used as an MBA elective.

MBA 6000Organizational Behavior and Ethical Leadership3 credits

This course introduces MBA students to the foundation principles of organizational theory, behavior, and leadership with an emphasis on ethical practices of organizational leadership. Organizational theory principles studied include structure and design, organizational culture, communication, individual and group dynamics, teamwork, and decision-making. Organizational theory and design are introduced to understand the implementation of policy within the organization. Leadership principles, practices, and styles with an emphasis on ethical leadership is a key concept of the course. MBA students will demonstrate fluency in these topics through a variety of research-based writing assignments and demonstrate competency with APA-style in these assignments.

MBA 6100Managerial Accounting3 credits

This course emphasizes the use of accounting data in the managerial decision-making process and in planning and controlling business enterprises. Topics include cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, capital budgeting, and responsibility accounting.

MBA 6400Economic and Financial Environment of Business3 credits

Interrelationships between financial and other economic sectors are studied. Development of the macroeconomic framework and concepts relating to the determination of output, employment, and price level is reviewed.

MBA 7200Financial Management3 credits

This course analyzes the synthesis of financial policy into a grand strategy that integrates organizational purpose and goals. The focus of the course is on current thinking regarding valuation of the firm, investment decision processes, financing and dividend policies, asset management, and financial strategies and portfolio theory.

MBA 7292Investments3 credits

This course offers an in-depth study of the various types of investment securities such as common stocks, bonds, warrants, options, and investments company shares. Emphasis is placed on the risk-return characteristics of these securities and their use in various investment strategies.

MBA 7293Portfolio Theory3 credits

This course is an introduction to modern capital market theory and portfolio theory, analysis and selection of portfolios, and the management of portfolios and their performance. Alternative portfolio selection strategies (such as hedge funds) are also explored, as are derivatives and other investment alternatives.

MBA 7294Advanced Financial Analysis3 credits

This course examines major policy-making areas in corporate finance and the impact of alternative policies on the value of the firm. Emphasis is placed on strengthening financial decision-making skills. Advanced topics include capital investment policy, financing and capital structure policies, dividend policy, and corporate control.

MBA 7295Corporate Taxation3 credits

An analytical study of the Federal Income Tax Statutes and regulations relating to the taxation of individuals, partnerships, and corporations is provided in this course. Topics of discussion include general concepts related to gross income, business and non-business deductions, tax accounting methods, and taxable periods and gains and losses on dispositions of property.

MBA 7296International Finance3 credits

This course provides background on the international environment and focuses on managerial aspects from a corporate perspective. It introduces students to international markets and describes the relationship between exchange rates and economic variables. It then focuses on the measurement and management of foreign exchange rate risk, concentrates on the corporate management of short-term and long-term assets and liabilities, and finally describes international financial management from a banker’s perspective. Cases are used to supplement problems.

MBA 7301Business Support Systems3 credits

This course investigates the increasing use of the techniques of business support systems and work flow tools for the optimum performance of manufacturing and service organizations. Students will use analytical, quantitative, and qualitative techniques and workflow tools for resource allocations, facilities design and location, process design, planning, scheduling, and quality control. An emphasis will be placed on current technologies and their applications in various industries.

MBA 7302Project Management3 credits

This course examines the use of project management to accomplish organizational goals and the unique styles of management needed to administer them. Case studies will be used to give the student a functional knowledge of project management. Topics in this course will include the role of the project manager, organizational and planning needs, cost estimation and budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, auditing and controlling and the completion of projects.

MBA 7305Supply Chain Management3 credits

This course focuses on supply chain concepts, supply chain processes and managing those processes to build competitive advantage in a global marketplace. Topics covered include supply chain processes from supplier to fulfillment, supply chain performance measurement, implementation and link to business strategy. Though mostly process-focused, the course covers some quantitative concepts such as demand planning, inventory management and forecasting techniques. It also covers the role of information technology and e-business in state-of-the-art supply chain management.

MBA 7320Integrated Business Processes3 credits

Business Process Management (BPM) is the integration of all critical business functions so they are aligned with the firm’s tactical and strategic plan. This course focuses on two core concepts: the discipline of BPM as a holistic management tool, and the role that technology plays in facilitating a BPM approach. BPM is a lifecycle approach that includes analysis, design, implementation, automation, and evaluation of business processes.

MBA 7589Entrepreneurial Innovation3 credits

This course is intended for people seeking to improve their ability to manage creativity, innovation, and change. Using an "innovation constraints" framework and successful business practice, participants will learn how to best manage people (all categories of stakeholders) when innovation is the goal. This course focuses on understanding and managing people engaged in creation, innovation and positive change, regardless of the environment. We will treat innovation as the process of generating, assessing, and then implementing useful and valuable ideas. We will focus on all phases from idea generation to getting ideas heard, accepted, and implemented in organizations. As a critical part of the creative process, we will also focus on your creativity and creative development. Numerous activities and exercises will be utilized to assist you, the driver of innovation, in better understanding your personal areas of strength and growth as it relates to entrepreneurial innovation.

MBA 7592Global Enterprise Development3 credits

This course will include the development of a global business by using partnerships with international companies and educational institutions. Students will participate in global communities and cross-cultural virtual teams to collaborate and develop an international business.

MBA 7600Global Marketing Management3 credits

This course develops an understanding of the application of marketing and microeconomic principles and the management of the marketing functions in the international arena. This course will emphasize the need for effective marketing plans developed from a thorough analysis of the global marketplace with particular attention to cultural differences, ethical challenges, geopolitical dynamics, distribution challenges and product adaptation.

MBA 7603Market Research and Consumer Behavior3 credits

This course examines the objectives and techniques of marketing research and the analysis of consumer behavior as tools for the effective marketing manager. Subjects addressed will include the formulation of research objectives, research design, data collection, qualitative and ethnographic studies, survey design and the analysis and interpretation of the data.

MBA 7604New Business Ventures3 credits

This course examines the challenges and requirements placed on an entrepreneur in the design and implementation of a new business venture. Subjects addressed in this course include idea generation, supporting data and information gathering, the formulation of a strategic business plan, searching for and procuring venture capital and other financing, implementation of the venture and the considerations of public offering.

MBA 7606Business to Business and Business to Government Marketing3 credits

The focus of this course is to explore the techniques of marketing products and services to business and industry. Subjects will include sales practices and methodologies that are unique to business markets, procurement practices and ethical guidelines. Attention will also be given to requirements needed in marketing to the government.

MBA 7608Integrated Marketing Communications3 credits

The role of advertising and other promotional mix elements in the integrated marketing communications program (IMC) of an organization is the focus of this course. The development of an integrated marketing communications programs requires an understanding of the overall marketing process and how companies organize for advertising and other promotional functions. Related aspects such as customer behavior, communications theory, and how to set goals, objectives and budgets related to IMC plans are examined. Attention will be given to the various IMC tools used in contemporary marketing including advertising, direct marketing, internet and interactive marketing, sales promotion, publicity and public relations, and personal selling. There will be strong emphasis on the art of communicating effectively through various marketing media.

MBA 7610Salesmanship and Sales Force Management3 credits

This course studies the design, management and motivation of an organization’s personal selling function. The subjects studied in this course include the role of sales professionals as financial contributors, change agents and relationship builders. Included in this course will be discussions on sales force structure, motivation, and augmentation of the marketing communications program, recruitment, selection and training of sales persons.

Prerequisite(s): MBA 7600

MBA 7710Seminar in Data Analysis3 credits

This course is designed as a hands-on course in Business Analytics, an area of business administration that considers the extensive use of data, methods, and fact-based management to support and improve decision making. This course covers the data management infrastructure that supports data analysis, analytic methods, and visualization as a tool to communicate analytic results. Practical examples and hands-on exercises present an opportunity to apply concepts and techniques used in data analytics. Data visualization tools are used as a means to explore and analyze data and as a means to effectively communicate analytic results. This course discusses the benefits of employing analytics and a structured approach to problem-solving in management situations.

MBA 7800Topics in Finance—Derivatives3 credits

The primary objective of this course is the exploration of contemporary topics in accounting, finance, or related fields in both theory and practice. Research projects, class discussions, and presentations explore current areas of concern using an interdisciplinary framework.

This course discusses the economic costs and benefits of maintaining an ecologically friendly business enterprise while examining critical areas of concern such as how well the firm designs, utilizes and replenishes resources so that the earth’s natural systems are sustained and not threatened.

This course combines current operations and project management methods with "green" management techniques to help the business operate in a socially responsible way while profiting from today’s environmentally conscious product and services. Discussions in this course will include globalization, green business ventures, recycling, eco-friendly products and practices, the concepts of Life-Cycle Assessment, and the ISO 14000 series of certifications.

MBA 7804Environmental Regulations and Ethical Issues3 credits

This course is designed to introduce the student to the legal, regulatory and ethical aspects of laws effecting environmental stewardship. Subjects discussed in this course will include environmental law and policy, toxic substance control, waste management, conservation and proper replenishment of natural resources and international environmental law.

MBA 7810Principles of Environmental Sustainability3 credits

Principles of Environmental Sustainability in Business provides students with an understanding of the need and pressures for businesses to incorporate environmental sustainability, resource management, and responsibility into effective business decision making at every level of the organization. Students taking this course will be introduced to the terms, definitions, and basic business strategies and practices that environmentally sustainable businesses embrace. Principles of Environmental Sustainability in Business examine the various methods that businesses use to create competitive advantage while maintaining a culture of sustainable practices. A general overview of evolving industry standards and regulations for environmental sustainability in business will be reviewed as well as ethical considerations.

MBA 8795MBA Internship3 credits

MBA students may apply for an approved internship to meet one of the two open electives in their program. An MBA internship offers students the opportunity to gain relevant work experience in business. Through this experience, the student gains a practical understanding of work in the industry, experience on the job, enhancement of skills learned in the classroom, and contacts with professionals in the business world. Upon selection for an approved internship, MBA students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of compensated or uncompensated work within a 14-week semester. MBA students must have completed a minimum 18 credits in the MBA core and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. This course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of 18-credits in MBA core.

MBA 8799Thesis3 credits

Students develop and prepare an independent research project.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of all core requirements and prior approval of the MBA coordinator. Students are assigned a supervisor from the MBA faculty.

MBA 8800Business Strategy3 credits

This is a capstone course intended to integrate previous work in finance, accounting, marketing, economics, and management at the corporate policy and strategic decision-making level. Problems addressed relate the organization and its objectives to the environment, with the subsequent development of policy, strategy, and implementation processes. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive simulation.